Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full Privacy Policy.

Tipping practices at private game lodges???

I will be at the Matetsi Game Lodge (Zambezi/Vic Falls) for 3 nights and at Singita (Kruger National Park) for 2 nights next month (along with time in Joburg, Cape Town and the Cape Winelands). What is the appropriate tipping policy for exclusive private game lodges such as Matetsi and Singita??? Please advise.

When I was at Sabi Sabi a few years ago, I was told it was R50 per person per drive per day. I thought that was steep ( the exchange rate at the time was very different.) Nevertheless, I actually tipped more as our guide was incredible and took us on extra game drives. I tipped the room staff and waiters and laundry as well but I don't remember what the recommended amount was. At Londolozi, there was a different scale and tipping was spread out over the whole staff.

Most lodges have a tipping policy of $5.00 per person per day for the guide, and they ask that you put $3.00 per person per day in teh common fund for the staff. There's usually a box somewhere near reception for the purpose.

We just came back from Singita, and tipped about R350/day to the ranger to share with the tracker. We were told by someone who goes quite a lot, that for foreigners, an appropriate tip would be R100/day (for me and the wife) for the ranger, who would share it with the tracker.